This charming granny square features a sweet reindeer face with soft brown antlers, gentle eyes, a little black nose, and ears with cream centers. Sprigs of green holly with bright red berries sit between the antlers and on both sides of the face, giving it a cozy, festive look. The reindeer sits on a cream background framed by red shell rounds and a green border with fans in each corner. It is perfect for Christmas blankets, pillows, ornaments, and gift toppers.
The square is made in two parts. First you crochet the background square with its shell frame and border. Then you make the reindeer head, antlers, ears, holly, and berries and sew them on top for a raised, dimensional look.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in cream, about 25 g
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in red, about 20 g
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in green, about 20 g
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in light brown, about 10 g
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in dark brown, about 8 g
Small amount of black yarn or embroidery thread
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Tapestry needle, scissors, and stitch markers
Finished Size
About 18 by 18 cm (7 by 7 inches)
Stitches Used (US Terms)
ch chain
sl st slip stitch
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
tr treble crochet
MR magic ring
sc2tog single crochet two together
bobble 5 double crochet worked into the same stitch and closed together
shell 5 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
fan 7 double crochet worked into the same stitch or space
Part 1: The Cream Background
With cream, chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet), work 2 double crochet in the ring, and chain 2. Work 3 double crochet and chain 2 three more times. Join. You have 4 corners.
Rounds 2 to 5: Chain 3 and double crochet in each stitch along the sides. In each corner space, work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 2 double crochet. Join at the end of each round.
Round 6: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around, with 3 single crochet in each corner space. Join and fasten off.
This gives a smooth, solid center for the reindeer.
Part 2: The Red Shell Frame
Round 7: Join red in any corner. Chain 1 and single crochet in the first stitch. Skip 2 stitches and work a shell in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat along each side. In the center stitch of each corner, work a fan. Join.
Round 8: Slip stitch to the center of the first shell. Chain 5 (counts as a double crochet and chain 2). Single crochet in the next single crochet, chain 2, and double crochet in the center of the next shell. Repeat around. In the center of each corner fan, work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 2 double crochet. Join.
Round 9: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch and 2 single crochet in each chain 2 space around, with 3 single crochet in each corner space. Join and fasten off.
Part 3: The Green Border with Corner Fans
Round 10: Join green in any corner. Chain 3 and double crochet in each stitch around. In the center stitch of each corner, work a fan. Join.
Round 11: Chain 1 and single crochet in the first stitch. Skip 2 stitches and work a shell in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches and single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat along each side. In the center stitch of each corner fan, work a fan. Join.
Round 12: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch around, with 3 single crochet in the center stitch of each corner. Join and fasten off.
Your square should measure about 18 cm across.
Part 4: The Reindeer Head
With light brown, chain 7.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 6 stitches.
Rows 2 to 5: Chain 1 and single crochet across, working 2 single crochet in the first and last stitch. Turn. You have 14 stitches.
Rows 6 to 9: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
Rows 10 to 13: Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across to the last 2 stitches, and sc2tog. Turn. You have 6 stitches.
Row 14: Chain 1, sc2tog 3 times. Fasten off.
Turn the piece so the wide rows are at the top and the narrow end becomes the muzzle.
Round 15: Join light brown and single crochet evenly around the whole head to smooth the edge. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Part 5: The Ears (make 2)
Inner ear: With cream, chain 5. Slip stitch in the 2nd chain from the hook, then work sc, hdc, and dc in the next chains. Fasten off.
Outer ear: Join light brown at the base of the inner ear. Single crochet around the edge, working 3 single crochet at the tip. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
Part 6: The Antlers (make 2)
With dark brown, chain 16.
Row 1: Slip stitch in the 2nd chain from the hook and in the next 4 chains.
First tine: Chain 5. Slip stitch in the 2nd chain from the hook and in the next 3 chains. Slip stitch back into the main chain.
Slip stitch in the next 4 chains.
Second tine: Chain 4. Slip stitch in the 2nd chain from the hook and in the next 2 chains. Slip stitch back into the main chain.
Slip stitch in the remaining chains. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
Make the second antler the same way, so the two antlers mirror each other when you sew them on.
Part 7: The Holly and Berries
Holly leaves (make 6): With green, chain 8. Slip stitch in the 2nd chain from the hook, then work sc, hdc, chain 2, slip stitch in the 2nd chain from the hook for a picot, dc, hdc, and sc across. Work the same down the other side of the chain. Fasten off. The picots make the spiky holly points.
Berries (make 9): With red, make a magic ring and work 6 single crochet. Pull closed. You can also use a red bobble or a small red bead.
Assembly
Place the head in the center of the cream background, with the muzzle pointing down.
Sew the head in place with the light brown tail and small whip stitches around the edge.
Sew one ear on each side of the head, angled outward.
Sew the antlers above the ears so they curve upward and outward.
With black yarn, embroider the eyes with a few satin stitches and add a small white highlight in each one. Embroider a triangle nose at the tip of the muzzle with a short line and a smile below it.
Sew 2 holly leaves and 3 berries between the antlers, at the top of the head.
Sew 2 holly leaves and 3 berries on each side of the face, below the ears.
Weave in all ends on the back.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the square and pin it flat with straight sides and sharp corners. Pin out each shell and corner fan. Do not press the reindeer, antlers, or holly so they stay raised and dimensional.
Ways to Use Your Reindeer Square
Join several squares with plain red, green, and cream squares for a Christmas blanket.
Sew two squares together over a cushion insert for a reindeer pillow.
Add a ribbon loop and hang it as a tree ornament or wall hanging.
Use one square as a holiday coaster or a gift topper.
Join a row of squares for a holiday table runner or mantel banner.
Color Ideas
Brown reindeer on a red background with a cream border for a bold Christmas square
White reindeer with silver antlers on navy for a frosty winter look
Tan reindeer on sage green with a cream border for a soft Scandinavian style
Brown reindeer with a red nose on cream for a playful Rudolph square
Tips for Success
Count your stitches after each increase and decrease row so the head stays even.
Make the antlers with a firm tension so they hold their shape.
Embroider the face before sewing the head to the square. It is much easier.
Pin the head, antlers, ears, and holly in place before sewing to check the layout.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas reindeer granny square is a sweet, festive project that brings holiday cheer to anything you make. It pairs beautifully with other Christmas squares, such as wreaths, angels, and snowmen, for a festive sampler blanket. Share your finished squares in the comments below. We would love to see your holiday makes!